Take 5 with Allan Harris
Did you ever wonder what your favorite musicians are listening to, or the recordings that influenced them? “Take Five” is a look at the music that inspires and excites them. It’s difficult to choose only five recordings!
Internationally renowned singer, composer and guitarist Allan Harris’ talent has no boundaries. He’s equally comfortable singing Jazz, Country, Soul, Rock and Pop music. Harris is an expert on the Black West and shares the neglected history of Black cowboys through music and stage performances.
His new CD “The Poetry of Jazz: Live at Blue Llama” is his second live recording from the Ann Arbor club. Harris sings Jazz, Brazilian R&B standards and his original compositions with spoken word poems by Langston Hughes, William Shakespeare, Dylan Thomas and Maya Angelou among others. Here’s Allan’s “Take 4!”
Johnny Mathis / Heavenly (Columbia)
I still remember hearing this record drifting from my Aunt Theodosia’s upstairs room when I was a child. It stopped me in my tracks. Johnny Mathis's voice, his effortless interplay with the lyrics and melodies, opened something inside me. It planted the seed that would grow into my desire to become a vocalist, one who not only sings clearly and honors the songwriter but also finds joy in the delivery. That joy is unmistakable on every track of Heavenly, and it all comes together in his unforgettable rendition of Misty.
Getz / Gilberto (Verve)
This album opened my mind to the beauty of musical exchange between artists from different cultures. As a child raised on the Blues, R&B, Rock, and Jazz, I was deeply moved by the way Stan Getz introduced American audiences to the sounds and spirit of our southern neighbors. It gave me a fresh and powerful tool to add to my young and growing world of vocal exploration: the world of Bossa Nova. That influence remains a significant part of both my live and recorded performances, especially in the improvisational moments that bring the music to life.
Carmen McRae/ Carmen Sing Monk (RCA)
Okay, I could have named a few other artists who have delivered recordings just as adventurous as this one, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Eddie Jefferson, and Al Jarreau, but Carmen, on this project, brings a melodic and soulful approach to Monk’s tunes. With lyrics by Jon Hendricks and Abbey Lincoln, the songs gain both playfulness and depth, highlighting the brilliance of Monk's compositions. I don't think you can find a jazz vocalist worth their salt who hasn't gleaned something from this vocal masterpiece, including yours truly.
Jeff Beck/ The Jeff Beck Group (Epic)
I know, I know—what earns a rock guitarist a place on a list like this? Well, speaking as a jazz vocalist and guitar player, I can tell you Jeff Beck more than earns his spot. I've been a lifelong admirer of this groundbreaking artist. From his early days with the Yardbirds, playing alongside Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, to collaborations with Rod Stewart and even Stevie Wonder, Beck always brought something fresh and fearless to the music.
As a guitarist myself, I was immediately struck by how adventurous and distinct his playing was. The 1972 album featuring jazz pianist Max Middleton and vocalist Bobby Tench hinted at the direction Beck would explore in the years ahead. He fused rock, blues, and jazz with amazing creativity. and he also fused my mind when it came to what was possible with the guitar.
Tony Bennett - Steppin’ Out
When I met Tony Bennett in the early 1990s, he wasn’t as much in the public eye as he would be later, but his artistry was as powerful as ever. I first heard him sing “When Do the Bells Ring for Me” on Johnny Carson, a haunting ballad from his Astoria album. That performance stayed with me.
I’d always been a fan, Tony’s voice had that rare quality of being deeply intimate, yet he could belt with the power of an opera singer. He encouraged me to move to New York, and once I did, he mentored me. His belief in me and his generosity during those early years meant everything.
My favorite album of his? Steppin’ Out. His tribute to Fred Astaire is just masterful—full of swing, charm, and timeless elegance. It captured everything that made Tony great: phrasing, grace, and soul.
- allanharris.com/allan-harris
- www.instagram.com/allanharrisiii/
- www.facebook.com/TheAllanHarrisBand/
- www.youtube.com/channel/UCm_cP3EKmIAcxGLYJGyo4LA
Discography
- The Poetry of Jazz Live at Blue Llama (Love Productions)
- Live at Blue Llama
- Kate’s Soul Food
- The Genius of Eddie Jefferson
- Nobody’s Gonna Love You Better
- Black Bar Jukebox
- Convergence
- Cross That River
- Cry of the Thunderbird (Second part of Cross That River trilogy)
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